Automatic gate-operating means for dams



J. DE W. JUSTIN.

AUTOMATIC GATE OPERATING MEANS FOR DAMS.

Wafer under pressure i APPLICATION FILED JULY 20,1918.

Patente MEETS-SH I.

awoewboz CIR Jusfa'n J. DE-W. JUSTIN.

AUTOMATIC GATE OPERATING MEANS FOR DAMS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 20. 191B.

3 SHEETS-SHLEI 2.

Wa er un der L pr ssure @vwemtoz DE W. JUSTIN. AUTOMATIC GATE OPERATING MEANS FOR DAMS.

Patented J mm 22, 1920,

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 20, 1918.

/ Wafer under pressure Wain uno cr przssu-re k v Elma/whet Hornet;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

.JQ LiDEaWI JUST E'J B OR ARQLINA.

.nureivrn'rio ,eeraonnnarrne .ivrnnns, non DAMS.

vApplication filed July 20, 1918. Serial No. 245,841,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it. known that I, JOEL D. 'JosTIN a citizen of the United States, residing at liadin, in the countyof Stanly and State of North Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Gate-OperatingMeans for Dams, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention. relates to"dams,.and more particularly to devices-for regulating the head of water behind a dam.

In the construction of dams 0r reservoirs, particularly in water power installations, it is, in almost allcases, essentialgto maintain a constant elevation of headwater, one reason for. this. being thatan increase in the level of' the headwater above the normal would flood valuable property andotherwise do a good deal of damage. "Many; types of gates have been fdesigned fgr this'purpose, but .so.;far as'I know, none of these gates are automatic in their action but de pend, to a great degree, on the watchfulness of operators. Some few gates have been designed to be partially automatic, but as far as I know none arefully automatic. If the operators. are,away or negligent, or if the machinery" for operating the gates refuses to work, then when ajflood comes disasteris the result, or if not; absolutely disastrous, there is at any rate damage tothe upstream banks.

The obj ect. of this invention is,to provide a gate which is. operated automatically to control the level .ofthe headwater so that when this level rises above a predetermined point, the gate shall beopened to a greater or less extent to. permit the escape of the water an'dthe reduction in itshead.

A further object is to provide a construction. of this character inwhich, upon a' decrease of the headwaterfrom an abnormal level, the gate will return automaticallyto its normal position. I

A further object is to. provide aconstruc- 'tion of this character in which the pressure p of the headwateritself is utilized to keep the gate, in position and, automatically regulate the elevation. at which the crestof the gate stands. a

A furtherobjeet istoprovide in constructions of this character, a regulating. device which E is shifted :by, any increase inpressure due to a rise in, level ofthe headwaten and which, when shifted under this increase in pressure, causes the gate to be shifted so as to allow a greater amount of water to pass over the damand thus reduce the level of the water behindthe dam, this regulating dev ce being. such that it will return to its initial position upon a reduction of this pressure to normal and thereby cause the gate to return to its originalposition.

A further object is to provide a construction of this character in whichthe reaction of the regulating device to the pressure of the headwater may be adj ustably controlled.

Other objects will appear in the course of the following description.

My invention isillustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a top plan view of ajdamjhavmg gate operatingmeans according to one form of'my invention; i

"Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2 20f .Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

.' regulating device as applied to. a dam having therein agate which shifts downward into a chamber formed in the 'dam to thereby allow the lieadwater to escape over thetop of the gate. In these l igures lOfdesignates a dam proper. and 11.the usual abutments.

Intermediate.abutments or piers 12 may be disposed between the main abutments 11, all of these piers or abutments extending above the upper face of the dam. The abutments 11 and12 are,f0rmed with vertical grooves 13 to receive the gate orgates' 14L and the upper part of the damisjformed witha vertical pressure chamber 15,.one for eachgate into which the gate lowers. Normally the gate is raised to the position illustrated in Fig. 2, so thaththe crestof-the gate is ona level with the normal level of the headwate'r.

T he gate 14 may. be of any suitable construction, but Ihave illustrateditas a hollowgate forn'iedv ofinner andouterplates. Preferably holes 17 areprovided in the downstream face of each plate for drainage at 18. Any suitablemeans may beprovided for preventing the passage of water around the lower end of the so as to retain the pressure within the chamber and I have illustrated for this purpose the water-proofing strips 19 attached to the gate. For the purpose of preventing silt from getting into the pressure chamber 15, I may provide the rollers 20 mounted upon the dam on each side of the gate and bearing against the gate. The gate is limited in its downward movement by stops 21 projecting into the pressure chamber and in its upward movement by stops 22 on the abutments. Roller bearings are preferably provided in the channel 123 against which the gate bears.

For the purpose of controlling the vertical movement oi the gate, 1 form in one of the abutments 11 of the dam, achamber 23 and dispose in this chamber the outside cylinder 9%. This cylinder carries at its upper end a collar 25 which is interiorly screwthread ed to engage screw-threads upon the eliterior of the cylinder 2 1 and forms an es;- tension oi the cylinder 2d. The upper end 01? this collar is formed withan inwardly extending stop flange 26. The cylinder 24- is connected adjacent its lower end to a pipe 2. vhich communicates with the pressure chamber 15. If there are a plurality of these chambers 15 corresponding to a plurality of gates, then there is (mmmimication between one chamber and the next adjacent chamber, so that the cylinder 24- communirates with all ot the chambers. The cylinder 2 1; has an outlet pipe 28 connected there to above tl e laterally extending pipe 27, this outlet pipe leaning to the tail water through a duct "formed in the corresponding abut lnent 11. Above the pipe 28 the cylinder 24; connects with an inlet pipe or duct E29 loading: from the upstream taco ot' the dam, this being; disposed below the concrete crest of the dam, that is, below the top of the body of the dam and considerably below the normal level of the upper end of the gate.

Operating within the cylinder 2 iis an inside cylinder 30 constituting a valve, this cylinder being closed at its upper end and open at its lower end and being formed with a lateral port 31 which in the normal position of the cylinder communicates with the inlet duct or pipe 29. The cylinder is provided with a stop flange 32 which normally bears against the upper edge of the cylinder 24: which constitutes a stop therefor and which coacts with the flange 26 when the cvlindcr is raised to its full height. Mounted upon the upper end of the valve 30 are a plurality of counterweights 33, these weights being so mounted upon the upper end of the valve that they may be readily removed therefrom or applied thereto in or der to adjust the downward pressure on the valve.

In the normal positlon of the parts, as

within the valve will above described, the valve 30 is lowered to the position shown in Fig. 3, and in this position the inlet pipe 29 has communication through the port 31 with the pipe 27 lead ing to the pressure chamber 15, while outlet through the tail water pipe 28 is cut oil'. The pressure of water behind the dam will therefore exert a lifting force upon the gate, holding it in its raised position, but it this lifting force increases beyond a predetermined normal amount, due to a rise in the water and an increase in head then the pressure within the valve will increase and the valve will move upward against the action of the weights 33. lVhen this occurs the port 31 will move out of registry with the inlet pipe 29, thus cutting oil the supply of water to the pressure chamber and opening communication between the pressure chamber and the outlet pipe 28. Hence the weight of the gate will cause it to move down ard "forcing the water within the chamber out through the outlet pipe 28 and, of course, lowering the effective level of the dam, permitting a greater volume of water to pass over the dam, and thus lowering the height of the upstream water. \Vhen, however, the water level falls to normal, the pressure decrease and the weights will urge the valve downward to its normal. position cutting oil the outlet of water from the pressure chambers and permittingthe pressure of the upstream water to again raise the gate.

In F l show another form of gate operated, lunvever, on exactly the same principle as heretofore described and using the same controlling means. Referring to this figure, the dam Ill is, in. this case, providi-id with a lifting gate instead of a sinking: grate. In other words, with this grate when it is desired to reduce the level of water against the upstream face of the dam, the gate is raised allowing the water to pass out between the lower edge or the gate and the upper face of the dam, whereas in the previous example the gate was lowered for this purpose. The gate 85 moves in grooves or channels in the jambs of the gate opening, and is provided with any suitable packing and with anti-friction bearings. It not thought necessary to illustrate or describe these arrangements as theyare those commonly found in gates of this character. The gate is counterweighted by means of counterweights 36 disposed invcrtical chambers 37 formed in the dam, cables 38 pass 1;; to the counterweights over pulleys 3S). Preterably the counterweight chambers .37 are connected by means ofa conduit or pipe -10. The dam is also formed at one abutment with the chamber 41 within which the regulating device is disposed, this device being ot the same character as illustrated in Figs. 3

and 4, in connection with the other gate.

Therefore, the same reference numerals have been used for this'construction. In thls "ease, the cylinder '24; connects by the passage 27 tothe pressure chambers37 wherein the counterweights move, each" counterweight being shiftable upon guides "42. It will therefore be seen thatinthismechanism it is the counterweights against which the pressure of the headwater'acts. Now in this case when the level of the water behind the dam lSDOIIIIHJl; thevalve 30 is at itslowest position causingthe water behind the dam'to pass through the inlet 29, through the port 81 and out 'throughthe-pipe 27to the pressure chamber 37. 1If,'however,' the level of water rises beyond the normal, the pressure of the water will act-to lift the valve as previously stated, and this will cut off the inlet of waterand the water which is-in the pressure chamber or chambers will flow out through the duct orpipe '28 so that the counterweights 36 Will no longer be par tially supported by the water and, as a consequence, these counterweights will lower raising the gate and allowingthe superabundantwater toflow off. When the head has been reduced to a proper level, the valve will again 'sh'ift to its 'normal position and pressure will be directed into vthe pressure chambers 37- and this will" cause the counterweights to lift so that the gate will.overbalance the counterweights and return to its normal position.

ular form of gate as any gate whichmay be shifted by the direct pressureof Water or by the pressure ofwater'on counterweights 1S adapted to' be controlled bY/IHYfllliIOIHELlilrally acting pressure controlled mechanism.

It maybe notedthat in Figs. -1 to 4, I show a gate having a sharp crest 18. Thus the nappe of the dischargingwater overthe gate or caisson will break clear and free and jump the remainder ofthe caisson or gate. In order to accomplish this the nappe must be aerated by pipes43. .Itisto beparticularly noted that by increasing or decreasing the number of weights on the valve, the normal headwater elevation may be controlled at any time. Further, it will be noted that with myinechanism, a large difference of level between the headwater and tail water is not an importantfactor. It

will be seen that I have provided in combination with a spillway gate supported-in the regulating device.

part or whole bythe headwater,pressu-re,,-.a

-device actuated by theheadwater pressure which automatically operates the :gate: on

an increase or decrease in theielevationiof the headwater.

In a dam including numberof gates, it

' may be desirable to have several regulating devices, with all oflthepressu-re chambers connected 1 together but, on the other hand, the regulatingrdevlces may be arranged so that they are entirely independent one of Instead of having all of the gates act at one time, it may be desirable to have them act in succession, one after the other as the headwater increases. This may readilyibe accomplished by varying any, or alllofi'the following factors: The weights 33 i on top of the regulating device; the counterweights 36, and the weighted gate-itself. ,Such'va riations' would have to be determined for eachparticular site, according to existing conditions. 7

Having described my-invention, what? I claim is 1. In adam, a-spillwayjgateurged to a discharge position by gravity, a water-pres sure chamber-so connected to the gate that the pressure of water therein; urgesthegate to its normal position, and avalve operated automaticallyby an abnormal increase of pressure-of head waterto relievethempressure of water within the water chamber to thereby permit the gate toshifttoa discharge position. e

2.111 a dam, a spillway gate slnftable toward or from a normal position, a water pressure chamber coaet-ing' with the gate, the water pressure therein. acting to urge the gate "to lts; normal position, a valve chamber having an inlet duct "receiving headwater, an outlet duct discharging water from the chamber, Iduet leading to the avater pressure 'chambcn and a valve normally establishing communication between the water pressure chamberaand the inlet "duct, but cutting-off outlet from said valve chamber, said --valve being shiftable upon an increase pre sure in the headwatcr to a'positionicuttii r eff thesupplyofwater to thepressure chamber. and establishing communication between the pressure chamber and the outlet duet whereby to reduce the pressure in the pressure chamber and a permit the gate to shift to a discharge position;

able toward or from a normal position and urged by. gravity to a discharge positiomthe 3; A dam including aspillway gate shift- I gate being held in its normal position by the pressure of head water, a controlling member for the gate yieldably held in a position to maintain the water pressure acting upon the gate but, upon an increase of head water pressure beyond a predetermined point shifting to a position to relieve the pressure of water acting upon the gate to thereby permit the gate to shift to a discharge position, and means for adjustably controlling the resistance said member ofiers to head water pressure whereby said member may be adjusted to operate under different pressures of head water,

4. A dam including a spillway gate shiftable toward or from a normal position and urged from its normal to its discharge position by gravity, a pressure chamber operatively connected to the gate and to a source of head water, the pressure of head water in the pressure chamber yieldingly holding the gate in its normal position, means shittable by and with predetermined variations in head water pressure controlling the admission of water to said pressure chamber or the discharge of water therefrom, and means adjustably resisting said movement of said pressure controlled means, whereby the pressure controlled means may be ad justed to act under different head water pressures.

5. A dam including a spillway gate shiftable toward or from a normal position and urged by gravity to a discharge position, a water pressure chamber operatively connected to the gate to support the gate in its normal position by water pressure, a valve chamber having an inlet connected to the upstream face of the dam, an outlet for tail water communicating with said pressure chamber, and a valve therein yieldingly urged to its normal position, said valve in its normal position establishing communication between the inlet of the valve cham her and the pressure chamber, cutting off communication between the valve chamber and the tail water outlet, said valve shifting under an increase of headwater pressure to cut off communication between the inlet and the valve chamber and establish communication between the outlet and the water pressure chamber.

6. A dam including a spillway gate shiftable toward or from a normal position and urged by gravity to a discharge position, a water pressure chamber operatively con nected to the gate to support the gate in its normal position by water pressure, a valve chamber having an inlet connected to the upstream face of the dam, an outlet to tail water communicating with said pressure chamber, and a vertically shiftable valve in the valve chamber urged to a normal position by gravity and in this normal position establishing communication between the headwater and the pressure chamher but cutting oil outlet from the valve chamber, said valve being shiftable by an increase in pressure in the headwater to a position where it will establish communication between the pressure chamber and the outlet and cut ofi communication between the valve chamber and the inlet.

7 A dam including a spillway gate shiftable toward or from a normal position and urged by gravity, to a discharge position, a water pressure chamber operatively connected to the gate to support the gate in its normal position by water pressure, a valve chamber having an inlet connected to the upstream face of the dam, an outlet to tail water communicating with said pressure chamber, and a vertically shiftable valve in the valve chamber urged to a normal position by gravity and in this normal position establishing communication between the headwater and the pressure chamber but cutting elf outlet from the valve chamber, said valve being 'shiftable by an increase in pressure in the hcadwater to a position where it will establish communication between the pressure chamber and the outlet and out 01f commnnication between the, valve chamber and the inlet, the valve and valve chamber having coacting stops limiting the movement of the valve.

8. A dam including a spillway gate shiftable toward or from a normal position and urged by gravity to a discharge position, a water pressure chamber operatively connected to the gate to support the gate in its normal position by water pressure, a valve chamber having an ,inlet connected to the upstream -face of the dam, an outlet for tail water communicating with said pressure chamber, and a vertically shittable valve in the valve chamber urged to a normal position by gravity and in this normal position establishing communication between the headwater and the pressure chamber but cutting off outlet from the valve chamber, said valve being shiftable by an increase in pressure in the headwater to a position where it will establish communication between the pressure chamber and the outlet and cut oil communication between the valve chamber and the inlet, the valve being urged to its normal position by a plurality of detachable weights.

9. A dam including an abutment, a spillway gate shiftable toward or from a normal position and yieldingly held in its normal position by the action of gravity, a water pressure chamber, a member movable within the water pressure chamber and forming part of the gate and urged to a normal po sition by the pressure of water within the chamber, a cylindrical valve chamber mounted'inthe abutment and having an inlet leading from the upstream face of the dam, and an ofiiset outlet discharging on the downstream side of the dam, there being communication between the valve chamber and the water pressure chamber, and a cylindrical valve disposed within the cylindrical valve chamber and vertically shiftable therein and having a port normally communicating with the inlet, saicLvalve in its normal position extending across the outlet and thereby establishing communication between the inlet and the pressure chamber, said valve when lifted by an increase in pressure of the headwater above normal carrying its port past the inlet opening of the valve chamber and establishing communication between the water pressure chamber and the outlet.

10. A dam including abutments, the body of the dam being formed with a longitudinally extending gate receiving recess, a gate shiftable downward into said recess, the recess forming a water pressure chamber, the pressure of water within this chamber controlling the position of the gate, a valve chamber having an inlet connected to the upstream face oi the dam, an outlet for tail water and said valve chamber communicating with said pressure chamber and with the downstream face of the dam, and a vertically shiftable valve in the valve chamber urged to a normal position b' gravity and in this normal position esta lishing communication between the headwater and the pressure chamber but cutting off outlet from the valve chamber, said valve being shiftableby an increase in pressure in the headwater to a position where it will establish communication between the pressure chamber and the outlet and cut off communication between the valve chamber and the inlet, the valve being urged to its normal position by weights. c

In testimony whereof I hereunto aifix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOEL DE VVITT JUSTIN. lVitnesses C. E. MILTON, R. Gr. MABRY. 

